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A bowl of cooked barley is on the table.
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5 from 5 votes

How To Cook Barley In Instant Pot

Learn how to cook barley perfectly with your pressure cooker in just a few steps. Get ready for the easiest way to make chewy, delicious barley!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, World wide
Diet: Vegan
Allergen: Dairy free, Soy free
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 6
Calories: 235kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the barley in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold water for a few seconds to remove any dust or debris.
  • Mix the pearl barley with 4 cups of water or broth, and a pinch of salt (if using) in the inner pot.
    2 cup pearl barley, 4 cup water, salt to taste
  • Close the lid and make sure the valve is set to "Sealing."
  • Set the Instant Pot to manual or pressure cook mode for 20 minutes on high pressure.
  • Once the timer goes off, allow for a natural release of pressure for at least 10 minutes before using the quick release option to relieve the remaining pressure.
  • Open the lid carefully and fluff the barley with a fork. I like to let it sit for a few minutes before serving to allow any excess moisture to be absorbed.
  • Enjoy perfectly cooked barley after it cools down to room temperature.

Notes

    • For added flavor, try toasting the barley in a pot with a teaspoon of olive oil for a few minutes before cooking. This will enhance its nutty taste.
    • Don't skip the rinsing step, as it removes any impurities and results in cleaner grains.
    • Experiment with different liquid ratios. More water or broth will result in softer, more tender grains, while less will yield a chewy texture.
Variations
  • Hulled barley is the whole grain form of barley and takes longer to cook. Follow the same steps, but increase the ratio of water. Add half a cup more and increase the cooking time to 25 minutes.
  • You can customize your barley by adding herbs, spices, or aromatics like garlic and onion to the pot before cooking.

Nutrition

Calories: 235kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 187mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 2mg